DESPITE their disappointing start to the season, Perth Glory have signed up head coach Dave Mitchell for a further two years until the end of 2010/11 season.
Mitchell took the coaching helm midway through last season and has launched a long term plan to re-establish Perth Glory as a football powerhouse.
Glory Chairmen Tony Sage and Brett McKeon said the reappointment of Mitchell will bring stability to Perth and provide a solid base from which a new and successful era can be built.
“Dave has the vision and coaching nous to take Perth Glory back to the top of Australian football and we have enormous faith in his ability to achieve our lofty goals,” Sage said.
“A key element that has been missing at our club since the establishment of the Hyundai A-League has been stability. Dave’s appointment for the next two seasons, coupled with our long term commitment as owners, ensures that Perth Glory now have the right mix to provide sustained success on and off the pitch.”
Perth Glory’s board moved to secure Mitchell’s services to remove any uncertainty surrounding his future and allow the former NSL Coach of the Year ample opportunity to retain and recruit the best players for next season and beyond.
“Planning for next season has started at every club and the challenges are even greater with two new teams set to make their debut. Dave has been pro-active in ensuring we didn’t fall behind and his contract extension will allow him to continue that process unimpeded,” said McKeon.
“We are making significant progress in developing a playing list that has the talent and desire to take Perth into the finals and challenge for a championship. This is in no small part due to the work being done by Dave.
“In our conversations with current and prospective players we know they respect and share Dave’s vision for the club. Now that his future at Perth Glory is secure he can confidently go about building on the foundations of success he has already laid.”
Mitchell will have the opportunity to develop the on-field revitalisation program started this season and he believes the club is well on the way to bringing West Australian football back to glory.
“I’m under no illusions about what is required of me and the amount of hard work ahead,” Mitchell said.
“This is a great club and there is a strong will that flows from the board through to the management, players, members and supporters to see Perth Glory return to the pinnacle of football in this country.
“We have made steady progress and I’m looking forward to continuing to meet the challenge head on. I’m confident that I can deliver on the promise of exciting, winning football at Perth Glory.”
After guiding Perth to three consecutive wins at home, a first for the club since the inception of the Hyundai A-League, Mitchell is preparing this week for another huge clash at Members Equity Stadium.
“We are well placed to continue to make a positive impact this season and that is heavily influenced by success at home,” Mitchell said.
“We are starting to see our efforts, to turn Members Equity Stadium into a fortress, being rewarded with results.
“Winning is contagious and I’ve never settled for anything less in my career as a player or a coach. I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity and I’ll leave no stone unturned helping Perth Glory return to its peak.”
PROFILE
David Mitchell
DOB: 13 June 1962 (Scotland) – raised in South Australia
Main coaching roles:
NSL: Sydney Olympic 1996–1997, Sydney United 1997–1999, Parramatta Power 1999–2002 (Inaugural Head Coach).
Malaysia: Sarawak FC 2005
Hyundai A-League: Perth Glory assistant coach 2006/07, 2007/08 (until rd 11), Perth Glory Head Coach Rd 11: 2007/08 – current (Win 7, Draw 3, Lost 10)
Coaching Honours: 1998/99 NSL Coach of the Year, 1998/99 NSL Premiers, 1998/99 NSL Grand Finalist
Representative honours: 1981 – 1993 Socceroos 44 games (15 goals) – including four FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Other Honours: 2006 Australian Football Hall of Fame - ‘Hall of Champions’ Inductee, 2007 South Australian Football Hall of Fame
Glory Chairmen Tony Sage and Brett McKeon said the reappointment of Mitchell will bring stability to Perth and provide a solid base from which a new and successful era can be built.
“Dave has the vision and coaching nous to take Perth Glory back to the top of Australian football and we have enormous faith in his ability to achieve our lofty goals,” Sage said.
“A key element that has been missing at our club since the establishment of the Hyundai A-League has been stability. Dave’s appointment for the next two seasons, coupled with our long term commitment as owners, ensures that Perth Glory now have the right mix to provide sustained success on and off the pitch.”
Perth Glory’s board moved to secure Mitchell’s services to remove any uncertainty surrounding his future and allow the former NSL Coach of the Year ample opportunity to retain and recruit the best players for next season and beyond.
“Planning for next season has started at every club and the challenges are even greater with two new teams set to make their debut. Dave has been pro-active in ensuring we didn’t fall behind and his contract extension will allow him to continue that process unimpeded,” said McKeon.
“We are making significant progress in developing a playing list that has the talent and desire to take Perth into the finals and challenge for a championship. This is in no small part due to the work being done by Dave.
“In our conversations with current and prospective players we know they respect and share Dave’s vision for the club. Now that his future at Perth Glory is secure he can confidently go about building on the foundations of success he has already laid.”
Mitchell will have the opportunity to develop the on-field revitalisation program started this season and he believes the club is well on the way to bringing West Australian football back to glory.
“I’m under no illusions about what is required of me and the amount of hard work ahead,” Mitchell said.
“This is a great club and there is a strong will that flows from the board through to the management, players, members and supporters to see Perth Glory return to the pinnacle of football in this country.
“We have made steady progress and I’m looking forward to continuing to meet the challenge head on. I’m confident that I can deliver on the promise of exciting, winning football at Perth Glory.”
After guiding Perth to three consecutive wins at home, a first for the club since the inception of the Hyundai A-League, Mitchell is preparing this week for another huge clash at Members Equity Stadium.
“We are well placed to continue to make a positive impact this season and that is heavily influenced by success at home,” Mitchell said.
“We are starting to see our efforts, to turn Members Equity Stadium into a fortress, being rewarded with results.
“Winning is contagious and I’ve never settled for anything less in my career as a player or a coach. I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity and I’ll leave no stone unturned helping Perth Glory return to its peak.”
PROFILE
David Mitchell
DOB: 13 June 1962 (Scotland) – raised in South Australia
Main coaching roles:
NSL: Sydney Olympic 1996–1997, Sydney United 1997–1999, Parramatta Power 1999–2002 (Inaugural Head Coach).
Malaysia: Sarawak FC 2005
Hyundai A-League: Perth Glory assistant coach 2006/07, 2007/08 (until rd 11), Perth Glory Head Coach Rd 11: 2007/08 – current (Win 7, Draw 3, Lost 10)
Coaching Honours: 1998/99 NSL Coach of the Year, 1998/99 NSL Premiers, 1998/99 NSL Grand Finalist
Representative honours: 1981 – 1993 Socceroos 44 games (15 goals) – including four FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Other Honours: 2006 Australian Football Hall of Fame - ‘Hall of Champions’ Inductee, 2007 South Australian Football Hall of Fame
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